Commons recalled to debate Iraq: Coalition against ISIL

26 September 2014

MPs voted 524 to 43 to approve the Government motion on Iraq: Coalition against ISIL on Friday 26 September 2014. The House of Commons had been recalled from the conference recess to debate the motion.

Proceedings began shortly after 10.30am with a Business of the House motion. MPs then debated the motion on Iraq.

The House divided following the debate. MPs voted to approve the motion on Iraq by 524 votes to 43, Division Number 53.

Motion for debate

The motion for debate was moved by the Prime Minister, David Cameron. Leader of the Labour Party, Edward Miliband, responded on behalf of the Opposition. MPs from all sides of the House took part in the debate. Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, closed the debate.

The motions reads as follows:

"That this House condemns the barbaric acts of ISIL against the peoples of Iraq including the Sunni, Shia, Kurds, Christians and Yazidi and the humanitarian crisis this is causing; recognises the clear threat ISIL poses to the territorial integrity of Iraq and the request from the Government of Iraq for military support from the international community and the specific request to the UK Government for such support; further recognises the threat ISIL poses to wider international security and the UK directly through its sponsorship of terrorist attacks and its murder of a British hostage; acknowledges the broad coalition contributing to military support of the Government of Iraq including countries throughout the Middle East; further acknowledges the request of the Government of Iraq for international support to defend itself against the threat ISIL poses to Iraq and its citizens and the clear legal basis that this provides for action in Iraq; notes that this motion does not endorse UK air strikes in Syria as part of this campaign and any proposal to do so would be subject to a separate vote in Parliament; accordingly supports Her Majesty’s Government, working with allies, in supporting the Government of Iraq in protecting civilians and restoring its territorial integrity, including the use of UK air strikes to support Iraqi, including Kurdish, security forces’ efforts against ISIL in Iraq; notes that Her Majesty’s Government will not deploy UK troops in ground combat operations; and offers its wholehearted support to the men and women of Her Majesty’s armed forces."